Karl Dunagan said his phone had been ringing constantly Wednesday after a story ran in The Augusta Press about a sewing and vacuum store on Deans Bridge Road in Augusta operating under the same name as the one he owns.
Dunagan is the owner of Dunagan’s Sewing and Vacuum at 1536 Whiskey Road in Aiken.
He said he wants to make it clear that his business is in no way related to the shop in south Augusta.
“I have asked them to take the name off the building and even offered to pay them to take it off,” Dunagan said.
A warrant for theft was obtained by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for Ernest Ray Johnson, who manages the south Augusta shop for his father, Ernest Lee Johnson.
MORE: Sewing and vacuum business closes with customers’ property locked inside
Ernest Ray Johnson is accused of accepting prepayments for both new merchandise as well as repairs and then closing up the store with no notice to customers. After Johnson was unable to pay rent for several months, eviction proceedings were initiated, according to emails provided by the building’s owner.
Johnson avoided eviction by turning in the keys to the building, leaving behind hundreds of sewing machines and vacuum cleaners that were awaiting repair. Although a telephone number for Johnson is printed on the door, customers are complaining that Johnson will not answer the phone and does not have a working voicemail.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
The Aiken-based business was founded in 1977 by Karl Dunagan’s father, Don Dunagan, and celebrates its 45th anniversary this month. Karl Dunagan said the south Augusta business was owned by his late uncle, Ray Dunagan, who died in 2007. The business was then sold to the Johnson family. The Johnsons never changed the name on the sign.
Dunagan said he doesn’t want the fallout from what has happened to the business in south Augusta to stain his reputation or that of his family.
“I get referrals all the time from word of mouth advertising, and in all these years, I have only gotten one negative review. We operate in a small community, so our reputation for service is everything,” Dunagan said.
According to Dunagan, his business has changed with the times over the years to remain successful.
“Sewing isn’t a necessity anymore… but it hasn’t gone away. It has evolved into a craft or an outlet for people,” Dunagan said.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
Sherman and Hemstreet Real Estate Co. has been contracted to find a new tenant for the Deans Bridge Road building, according to President Joe Edge.
According to Edge, who is also the publisher of The Augusta Press, hundreds of vacuum cleaners and sewing machines remain in the building. Customers seeking to reclaim their equipment can call Sherman and Hemstreet at (706) 722-8334.
“We have been tasked with finding a new tenant, and there are hundreds of sewing machines and vacuum cleaners still there. People need to call and claim their property or we will have to dispose of it,” Edge said.
Meanwhile, Dunagan said people who are able to retrieve their machines from the Deans Bridge Road location can call him, and he will assist them with repairs.
“I certainly can’t refund anyone’s money because I have never had anything to do with the south Augusta store, but I will be happy to fix their equipment. And I don’t charge an arm and a leg,” Dunagan said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
